County Organization

Digital images of birth, marriage, death and naturalization records are available at the DeKalb County Clerk's DeKalb County Genealogy Online website. There is no cost to search the index, but you must first create an account. There is a fee to access images.

Historical Facts

Johann de Kalb.JPG

DeKalb County is named for Johann de Kalb who was a German baron who fought on the side of the Americans during the Revolution.

Description

The county was named for Johann DeKalb, a German baron, who served in the Colonies during the Revolution, and was mortally wounded at Camden, South Carolina in 1780. The county seat is Sycamore and the county was organized on March 4, 1837.[1] The County is located in the North-central part of the state.[2]

Record Loss

Records and Resources

Biography

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a DeKalb County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of DeKalb County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

DeKalb County veterans listed in "The Voters and Tax-payers of DeKalb County, Illinois." (Civil War) Courtesy of Illinois Trails.

Census

Federal

State

1840 Pensioners

A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C., 1841. FHL 973 X2pc 1840; FHL 2321; digital version at Google Books. [See Illinois, DeKalb County on page 186.]

Church

Church records may contain birth, marriage and death information. Membership lists can show family and neighbors who worshipped together.

The Cornsilk, the Genealogical Society of DeKalb's newsletter, has histories and abstracted records of many early DeKalb church congregations. Explore an online index to the Cornsilk courtesy of the Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Joiner History Room.

In addtion, the Illinois State Historical Society Journal has also published articles about churches in DeKalb County. See the wiki page for Illinois Periodicals for more information about this journal.

Davy, Harriet Wilson. From Oxen to Jets: A History of DeKalb County 1835–1963. Illinois: DeKalb County Board of Supervisors, 1963. This history relates church names, organization dates, and reorganization information, including congregations which no longer exist. Other LibrariesFHL Book 977.328 H2f

Mailing Lists

Message Boards

History

Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County, Illinois: Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County: Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States: Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1885. Digital version at Ancestry ($); another Ancestry ($) version.

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a DeKalb County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of DeKalb County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

Land and Property

Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.

Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)

Military

Civil War

Civil War service men from DeKalb County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of DeKalb County.

DeKalb County veterans listed in "The Voters and Tax-payers of DeKalb County, Illinois." (Civil War) Courtesy of Illinois Trails.

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship

DeKalb County’s Online Genealogy allows free index searches of naturalizations, births, marriages, and deaths from 1837 when the county was created. Searches can be done for naturalizations 100 years or older, births 75 years or older, marriages 50 years or older, and deaths 20 years or older. A copy of the original records can be order online for a fee.

Obituaries

Periodicals

The Cornsilk, the Genealogical Society of DeKalb's newsletter, contains abstracted local records and information about research in DeKalb County. Explore an online index to the Cornsilk courtesy of the Genealogical Society of DeKalk County, Joiner History Room.

Probate Records

Repositories

County Courthouse

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for DeKalb County are kept, see the DeKalb County Courthouse page.

Family History Centers

Family history centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes. See family history center for more information. Search the online FHC directory for a nearby family history center.

Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States) and are located all over the world. Their goal is to provide resources to assist you in the research and study of your genealogy. The DeKalb Family History Center is located in Sycamore. Call ahead to verify operating hours. All are welcome. Explore more about the DeKalb Family History Center.

Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)

The Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD), managed by the Illinois State Archives, houses the archival records of local Illinois counties, townships, municipalities and school districts. The seven Regional Depositories are housed on state university campuses scattered throughout Illinois. The Northern Illinois University (IRAD-NIU) holds the records for DeKalb County. Learn more about finding and using their records.

Social Groups Online

Societies

Mutiliple databases are available through the county historical society. The staff will do limited research for the cost of copies only. Scanned records can be e-mailed. Of particular interest is their obituary index, military indexes, and their index to the county genealogical society periodical, The Cornsilk. On their website, select "Archives" to see a complete listing of their holdings. Explore other online databases at their website.

Thousands of obituaries have been collected from county newspapers and other sources. These obituaries have been indexed and organized into 3-ring binders. Other obituaries are available on microfilm. Some early obits are not available. Contact the office with your request. Please include name and date of death. No charge for research time. You pay only for copies and postage. Do not send any money until you receive a copy of the obituary you requested.

Taxation

Vital Records

DeKalb County’s Online Genealogy allows free index searches of births, marriages, deaths and naturalizations from 1837 when the county was created. Searches can be done for births 75 years or older, marriages 50 years or older, deaths 20 years or older, and naturalizations 100 years or older. A copy of the original records can be order online for a fee.

Original birth and death certificates recorded 1878–1916 are kept by the DeKalb County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health with a copy to the County Clerk. The county clerk does not have birth records after 1916. Original marriage records are kept by the County Clerk from 1837 to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.